Hocking Hills

With the in-laws in town, we decided to treat them to a couple nights in Hocking Hills. Only an hour from home but featuring secluded cabins, hiking, and hot tubs, it seemed the perfect place for the whole family to get away for baby's first trip.

Our first of two nights was stormy with lots of wind, rain, and thunder. Though our cabin had a complete kitchen, the power went out as Michael was in the middle of cooking dinner. The weather also kept us from using the charcoal grill outside, so we settled for sandwiches and decided to "tough it out" without power or water for the night. Fortunately, the lights came back and the water started pumping again at 8:00 the next morning, so we were able to stay for the second night too. We spent the day hiking around Old Man's Cave and Cedar Falls. Both Joel and Polo enjoyed the experience.

 

Michael and I went hiking on a day trip to Hocking Hills last year for our anniversary, and we were sad that due to Ohio's lack of rain this season, much of the creek and falls were dried up. His parents just did not get the same experience we had.

 

May 2011 vs. June 2012

Nevertheless, with good company and good spirits (and of course that hot tub!), we had a lovely time.

What's in a Name?

Maybe deciding on a baby's name is easy for some people, not these people. Michael and I had a difficult time finding a name that we both really liked. Because I'm crazy like this, I created a spreadsheet of potential names with columns for popularity ranking, meaning, and our individual feeling about each one. I was hoping to find something Biblical and/or literary while Michael wanted something that had personal significance. We both hoped to stay out of the top ten list. So, while I really liked Jacob, the fact that it is currently ranked #1 and means "supplanter" took it out of the running. Other names were vetoed simply because one of us didn't really love it. There is a lot of pressure when it comes to deciding what someone is going to be called for the rest of his or her life.

I thought that I had done a pretty thorough search of the Bible and pulled out all the potential candidates, but in late January I was reading Hosea during my quiet times. When I finished, I turned the page to the book of Joel and immediately thought, "Joel! Why haven't I ever considered Joel?" I emailed Michael later that day from work to ask him his opinion. His response:

"I like it. a lot."

Joel was ranked #115 in popularity, and according to babynames.com means "God will be willing."  I loved that meaning because during the nine months it took us to get pregnant, and even in the months leading up to our trying, I constantly prayed for God's will in our ability to conceive and for Him to bring everything together to create the child that He wanted us to have if it was His will for me to get pregnant at all. Michael also really likes Billy Joel and was personally named after a famous musician, so the name has some personal significance for him.

Even after that we were not quite ready to commit. Michael wanted to keep our options open, but I kept pestering him to make a decision. Finally in April we decided to stick with...

Now it was on to the middle name.

Since I teach English and love to read, I hoped to find a name of literary importance. Unfortunately, I could not find any suitable names based on my favorite books or authors. Clive Staples, really? Mr. Darcy... I think not. Frodo? Nope, my computer already claims that name :) We also considered names based on places to which we traveled, and it just so happens we had been to Boston shortly before our little dumpling was conceived. While there, we visited the homes and grave sites of several famous American writers including Ralph Waldo Emerson, so I suggested Emerson. It took Michael a long time to come around to that one, especially since I had to admit I had not really read anything by Emerson before. To build my case, I downloaded some of his work to my Kindle, started reading, and found some good stuff.

"Life is too short to waste
In critic peep or cynic bark,
Quarrel or reprimand:
'T will soon be dark;
Up! mind thine own aim, and 
God speed the mark!"
- Mithridates

"Again I saw, again I heard,
The rolling river, the morning bird;-
Beauty through my senses stole;
I yielded myself to the perfect whole"
 - Each and All

About three weeks before my due date, we finally agreed on Joel Emerson, and we are very happy with it. We've also gotten a lot of compliments on it since he was born, so (if everyone's being honest) our friends and family also like it. Yay!

Thanks to our dear friend Katie for making these beautiful letters for his room.

Footnote: I later discovered that a more accurate meaning of Joel is actually "the Lord is God," but I like that too.

Recently Arrived: Joel Emerson

Nothing like the birth of your first-born child to get you blogging again...

I was pretty confident that May 31st was my due date, but officially (aka according to my doctor) it was May 28th. Either way, I figured baby wasn't coming until June because I had heard most first-time moms go past their due date.  I'm not sure of the validity of that rumor, but it turned out not to apply to me.

On Monday, May 21st, I subbed for a math teacher at Coffman High School. It was a relatively easy day of work, and when I finished I stopped at a friend's house to chat before heading to my 39 week OB appointment. After the typical blood pressure/weight check and an extremely uncomfortable cervical check, the doctor determined that I was not dilated yet and sent me on my way. I made my 40 week appointment with the receptionist who said, "If I see you next week..." I replied, "Don't worry. I have a feeling you'll definitely be seeing me." From there I went straight to the gym for my Monday BodyVive class, a low-impact whole body group fitness class. That evening I was feeling especially uncomfortable, but I attributed it to that lovely cervical check and possibly my workout. As I crawled into bed at the end of the day:


Michael: "You're going to have the baby tomorrow."

Me: "Don't do that. Don't do one of your prophecy things where you say something and then it happens."

At 5:15 a.m., I woke up to go to the bathroom and discovered that my water had broken. At least I was pretty sure, but since the nurse at our birthing class told us that it is common for women to mistake the baby squeezing your bladder and causing you to leak with the bag of waters breaking, I thought I'd wait a while. I fed the dog, let him out, and picked up around the house just in case, and then, sure enough, I experienced a mini gush of "water." After waking Michael up with the news, I finished packing our hospital bag. We ate a quick breakfast, got ready, and quickly headed to Dublin Methodist Hospital.

In triage, the nurse was getting ready to run a test to confirm my water had broken when there was a big gush, and she said, "Yep, that's your water. Let's get you up to labor and delivery." We had arrived at the hospital shortly before 7:00am, which meant the nurses were just going through a shift change.  I was very encouraged when my labor and delivery nurse, Kristy, told me it was her goal to get the baby delivered before the end of her shift. 

shortly after arriving in L&D

sitting on a birthing ball, breathing through a contraction

 The doctor started me on pitocin around 9:00am because my contractions were not getting regular or very strong. That seemed to do the trick and moved things along quickly. When the midwife checked in on me around 10:00 and I was at 4cm, she said I could get an epidural anytime and should not be concerned with it interfering with my progress. I held out a little while longer but called the anesthesiologist in by 10:40. While I am impressed by women who want a natural birth and have to give them props, I am SO glad I went for the epidural. Just watching those contractions on the monitor and not feeling them was ah-mazing :D  Each time the nurse came by, she helped me move into a new pose to try and get the baby moved into the optimum birthing position.

checking my email while sitting in one of the various poses

The next several hours passed by without much ado thanks to the drugs; it was actually quite boring. Unfortunately, I did not get cell service so I couldn't really text or call anyone unless I had Michael take my phone over to the window. We mostly passed the time just chatting and hanging out.


By 2:45, the nurse said I was 10cm and ready to push. An hour and fifteen minutes later, at 4:00pm, Joel Emerson was born weighing 8lbs. 3oz. and measuring 21in. - absolutely perfect in my eyes. 

love at first sight

Except for happening a week early, the whole labor and birth process were about what I expected. In fact, it was probably easier and less hectic than I anticipated. Michael was incredibly supportive. We both fell in love immediately. I was amazed at how much I wanted to cuddle and kiss this little person I just met and who still had residue all over his head and body and was screaming in my face.

The following day was our three year wedding anniversary. Even though the hospital food was pretty good, Michael ran out to get us Chinese food to celebrate. He brought back three fortune cookies, so Joel got his very first fortune at only a day old:

After two nights in the hospital, on May 24th, we took our new little bundle of joy home. We feel so blessed and thank God for His goodness and provision.

Cut Off

For Lent, I decided to give up social media (Facebook, Twitter, online chat rooms/communities). As luck, fate, or God's intervention would have it, my cell phone broke on Fat Tuesday. I am now on day three of feeling completely cut-off. As I sit here and think about how bored I am, I remember that the point of this sacrifice is not so that I check my email more; it is to shift my focus outside myself to God and to my neighbors. I would like to take the time I normally spend online in social media outlets and use it to read, reflect, and pray. So, I should probably stop writing this post and get to it ;)

New Year's Resolutions

Just when so many people are ready to give up on their New Year's resolutions*, I figure it is a good time to share mine. It is a fairly well known fact that writing down one's goals greatly increases the likelihood of achieving those goals. In 2011, I wrote down three resolutions and kept two of them. For 2012, I figured I would not only write them down but also share them with you in the hopes of increasing my success rate to 100%. Last year's goals were all health and fitness related, but this year I wanted to expand into other areas of my life as well. After some thought, I came up with the following four resolutions:

1. Memorize 26 verses of scripture 
The psalmist says, "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11). Memorizing God's Word is not only helpful in battling sin, but as Chuck Swindoll wrote, “No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified” (Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994], p. 61). At first I wanted to memorize one scripture verse a week, but I thought that was an unrealistic goal for myself (knowing me). I decided on one every other week instead. This may not seem like much, but it is a big step from the zero verses I have memorized in the last several years.

2. Run 500 miles
Last year's running goal was to complete a half marathon in 2:15, and I ran the Cap City half in May in 2:04. Because of the pregnancy, I did not think focusing on time would be a good idea this year, so I made a distance goal instead. Five hundred miles averages out to 9.6 miles per week. I have decided that during the later stages of pregnancy and in the first few weeks after giving birth, I will count miles walked as a way to stay motivated and moving even if I can't keep up a running pace. I also hope to train for the Columbus half marathon in October, which will help get my mileage back up, but I will only be concerned with finishing not time.

3. Lose the baby weight
I don't know how much weight I will end up gaining by the time the baby comes, but I hope to keep it to the recommended 25-35 pounds. I will have seven months then to work off whatever is left after the little guy is born. I think this seems a reasonable goal and time frame.

4. Read 40 books
Last year I read 49 books (without a goal in mind), but I don't know how having a newborn in the house and being a new mom will affect how much time I have to read. I also really, really hope to be in a full-time teaching position in the fall, which would naturally take up quite a bit of my time. With those things in mind, I figure I will not read as much as I did last year, but I would still like to keep my goal high and push myself to find the time for myself and one of my favorite pastimes.

*actually, January 17th is apparently the time to give up on resolutions as it is Ditch New Year's Resolutions Day

November and December Book Reviews

Title: The Son of Neptune

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult

Rating: ****

I'm hooked on Riordan's mythology-based series. First, there was Percy Jackson & the Olympians now there is The Heroes of Olympus. The Son of Neptune is the second book in the series, and I was lucky enough to borrow it from a 6th grade teacher's classroom library. A light and easy read full of the same mythological references as his other books, The Son of Neptune was enjoyable from beginning to end. I am already looking forward to the next one.


Amazon Book Description: Percy is confused. When he awoke after his long sleep, he didn’t know much more than his name. His brain-fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight. Somehow Percy managed to make it to the camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he had to continually kill monsters that, annoyingly, would not stay dead. But the camp doesn't ring any bells with him.

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn’t do a very good job of it. When the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her “gift” for an evil purpose, Hazel couldn’t say no. Now, because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk.
Frank is a klutz. His grandmother claims he is descended from ancient heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn’t see it. He doesn’t even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery—although not good enough to help the Fifth Cohort win at war games. His big and bulky physique makes him feel like a clumsy ox, especially in front of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely—enough, even, to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the “other” camp for half-bloods and extending as far north as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment in the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all of whom are destined to play a part in the most important quest of all: the Prophecy of Seven. 

Title: Crossed

Author: Ally Condie

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult

Rating: ***

Yet another young adult series that I feel compelled to finish. I read Matched over the summer, and Crossed is its sequel. Yet another young adult dystopian series, this one is not as good as Hunger Games, but it is still entertaining. I'd recommend it if you really like the genre.


Amazon Book Description: The hotly awaited second book in the dystopian Matched trilogy

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Title: The House of the Scorpion

Author: Nancy Farmer

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult

Rating: ****

This book is one of the freshman choice novels, and I would like to eventually read all the books on their list. House of the Scorpion deserves its accolades, including National Book Award. Not only is the story compelling and interesting, but the characters are dynamic and well-written and the opportunities for discussion abound.

Amazon Book Description: From the unique combination of the timelessness of an old and seemingly forgotten world deftly mixed with the futuristic reality of a brave new world comes a chilling tale of ethics and mortality that is thought provoking and macabre, and yet strangly fascinating...Is this the way of the future? Matt is six years old when he discovers that he is different from other children, from other people. To most people Matt isn't a boy, but a beast, dirty and disgusting. But to El Patron, lord of a country called Opium, Matt is the guarantee of eternal life. El Patron loves Matt as he loves himself - for Matt is himself. They share the same DNA. As Matt struggles to understand his existence and what that existence trully means, he is threatened by a host of sinister and manipulating characters, from El Patron's power-hungry family to the brain-deadened eejits and mindless slaves that toil Opium's poppy fields. Surrounded by a dangerous army of bodyguards, Matt longs for escape. But even escape is no guarantee of freedom because Matt is marked but his difference in ways that he doesn't even suspect.

Title: Close Your Eyes

Author: Amanda Eyre Ward

Genre: Fiction

Rating: ***

I cannot remember why I put this book on reserve at the library, but when it came in, I went ahead and read it. Though it was well-endorsed by many popular authors, I found it merely a satisfactory read. It was interesting but not a page-turner.

Amazon Book Description: In Close Your Eyes, the author of the bestselling How to Be Lost spins another mesmerizing tale of buried family secrets.

For most of her life, Lauren Mahdian has been certain of two things: that her mother is dead, and that her father is a murderer.

Before the horrific tragedy, Lauren led a sheltered life in a wealthy corner of America, in a town outside Manhattan on the banks of Long Island Sound, a haven of luxurious homes, manicured lawns, and seemingly perfect families. Here Lauren and her older brother, Alex, thought they were safe.

But one morning, six-year-old Lauren and eight-year-old Alex awoke after a night spent in their tree house to discover their mother’s body and their beloved father arrested for the murder.

Years later, Lauren is surrounded by uncertainty. Her one constant is Alex, always her protector, still trying to understand the unraveling of his idyllic childhood. But Lauren feels even more alone when Alex reveals that he’s been in contact over the years with their imprisoned father—and that he believes he and his sister have yet to learn the full story of their mother’s death.

Then Alex disappears.

As Lauren is forced to peek under the floorboards of her carefully constructed memories, she comes to question the version of her history that she has clung to so fiercely. Lauren’s search for the truth about what happened on that fateful night so many years ago is a riveting tale that will keep readers feverishly turning pages.

Not All About the Baby

I have been wanting to blog for a couple weeks now, but I just could not seem to get my creative juices flowing. You see, I feel challenged. I do not want my blog, or my Facebook wall, or my life to be all-consumed with baby stuff just because I am pregnant. However, the thing about being pregnant is that it does tend to become the center of attention in your life. It tends to be the first thing people ask about when they see me or talk to me. It takes up a substantial amount of conversation time with my husband, friends, family, and co-workers. I don't really mind, but I also feel like I don't want it to be the only thing I talk about. I imagine it is not the most exciting thing in everyone's life just because it is in mine. In spite of the fact that it is the most exciting thing in my life, it is by no means the only thing going on. I am still reading (and not all baby books!), running, working, watching movies, playing games, going to church, traveling, leading a Lifegroup, etc. So why can't I seem to find anything to write about? I would love to write a post about our Christmas vacation in Arizona. I would love to write a post about the books I read in November and December. I would love to write a post about my New Year's resolutions. I just have not done it. Yet... I suppose it's never too late, so perhaps I will get to that this week. Then maybe I can tell you something else baby or pregnancy related and not feel too guilty about it.